Yeoval farmers Graham and Susan Coddington heard about the plight of farmers in the far west of NSW on ABC radio and knew they had to help.
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"We heard Griffith farmer and electrical wholesaler Brendan Farrell talk about how dry and devastating it was out there, especially in Lightning Ridge and Walgett, and how they needed money to cover fuel and freight to get the thousands of bales of hay to them so we thought we could help," Mrs Coddington, who with her husband owns the property 'Catombal', said.
"Graham and I decided over a cup of tea we could help them and everybody has opened their hearts," she said.
"Dubbo West Rotary got on board and raised $10,000 and the Yeoval Quick Shears event on Sunday raised approximately $13,000 through an auction and other activities. Businesses and locals from Dubbo, Wellington, Forbes, Parkes, Yeoval and Cumnock have come together to support fellow farmers.
"People are so generous and the rural community is wonderful right throughout the central west, and look at the crowd, quite amazing," Mrs Coddington said.
Brendon Farrell said he was so thankful.
"The communities out here have embraced their fellow farmers in such a wonderful way. They will be so grateful," he said.
"My thanks to Dubbo West Rotary and the Coddingtons, and of course all of the businesses and local supporters. It has been incredible, more than $3 million of hay has been delivered out there."
Lance Murphy of Dubbo West Rotary was all smiles. His club had worked overtime to secure much-needed funds.
Mrs Coddington said the federal government needs to back farmers.
"The challenge is to get the subsidies out there for farmers who struggle like this. We're hoping the government can help," she said.
Forty-four shearers from Wellington, Yeoval, Dubbo, Goulburn, Bathurst, Parkes, Boorowa, Canowindra, Cowra and Cumnock took part in the Yeoval Quickshear.
Organiser Alf Cantrell said it was the most competitive and best turn out in seven years.
Golden Oldies
1st: David Whiteman, Cudal, 2nd: Les Ryan, Yeoval
HM Lowe and Co Trophy
1st: Luke Lynch Trangie, 2nd: Tom Lewis, Mandurama, 3rd: Michael Hayden, 4th: Les Ryan
Mulga Jill Award - Vine Tumataroa
Belly Wool Award - Les Ryan
TWG Intertown Challenge
1st: Wellington, 2nd: Yeoval 3rd: Cumnock
AGnVET Open Shearing
1st: Stacey Te Huia Bathurst, 2nd: Rocky Wegner Goulburn, 3rd: Jacko Hira Blayney, 4th: Dayne West Eumungerie, 5th: Hayden Te Huia Lucindale, 6th: Benny Barrett, Wellington
Senior Shearing
1st: Mitchell Wythes Parkes, 2nd: Blake O'Keefe Molong, 3rd: Andrew Parkes Bathurst, 4th: Matt Cumming Wellington, 5th: Aaron Follett Wellington, 6th: Chris Grady
Intermediate Shearing
1st: Benny Gorman Boorowa, 2nd: Brad Flannery, 3rd: Stuart Gavin Canowindra, 4th: Vine Tumataroa Cowra, 5th: Dylan Bourke Wellington, 6th: Tim Miller Wongarbon
Novice Shearing
1st: Vine Tumataroa Cowra, 2nd: April Falconer Wellington, 3rd: Blaze Tanks Parkes, 4th: Michael Hayden Cowra